12 v Fan Plug

[Pingy]

Thanks to browsing the experience on this forum, I've figured out what the whatchamacallit plug was next to our bunks - a 1/4" port for a light/fan.

Now, searching for a fan to plug in is much harder! I have found essentially there is "one" model - and varies in price and availability...

This may be more of a question on electronics in general, but Google wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped. Can I get a 12v "cigarette lighter" jack fan and wire it to a 1/4" jack? I've had some experience in the past (high school AV club) replacing those 1/4" for musical equipment, so I have the skill to solder is, just not sure if I can? And if I can just snip and solder, do I need to be concerned about which wire goes to which connector?

Thank you!!

Kim

[freetime58]

Originally Posted by Pingy

Thanks to browsing the experience on this forum, I've figured out what the whatchamacallit plug was next to our bunks - a 1/4" port for a light/fan.

Now, searching for a fan to plug in is much harder! I have found essentially there is "one" model - and varies in price and availability...

This may be more of a question on electronics in general, but Google wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped. Can I get a 12v "cigarette lighter" jack fan and wire it to a 1/4" jack? I've had some experience in the past (high school AV club) replacing those 1/4" for musical equipment, so I have the skill to solder is, just not sure if I can? And if I can just snip and solder, do I need to be concerned about which wire goes to which connector?

Thank you!!

Kim

You can but maybe the better way to go would be to remove the 1/4 jack from the wall and wire in an outlet with a typical cig lighter female outlet, even better yet would be to wire in one that also contains a USB charger outlet.......that way yo open up many options.

Positive is always the center pin, the outer casing/liner of the outlet/plug is always negative.....if you happen to mix them up, the fan will run backwards.

[Jagiven]

Yep, only one fan/light combo unit, and one light only unit. Seems like no one else makes anything for that plug. The plug is nothing special. Don't recall the size of the plug, it is nothing more than an old fashion head set plug.

[TaftCoach]

The only thing that made mine special to me was it clips to the shepard's pole.

[Stainless]

Have you checked Amazon or Walmart? I found a few options for it.

Also many stores with RV accessories should have something available.

[Pingy]

Thanks everyone,

Yes, there is only one model I've discovered, and they're really pricey - at least here in Canada. I think the best price I've found is around $75 and availability is problematic it appears too.

I'll consider the rewiring of the jack (oddly, a replacement jack itself is easy to find!)... I do like the idea of including a USB jack as well. That's a 12V operated outlet, right? Would the USB jack just work? Has anyone got a lead on the replacement jack that would have the female cig lighter and a USB? I haven't found one yet...

We are full on boondockers - have a solar array and a couple of marine batteries that let us run the fridge and lights...

Thanks again

Kim

[North of 49°]

Originally Posted by Pingy

Thanks everyone,

Yes, there is only one model I've discovered, and they're really pricey - at least here in Canada. I think the best price I've found is around $75 and availability is problematic it appears too.

I'll consider the rewiring of the jack (oddly, a replacement jack itself is easy to find!)... I do like the idea of including a USB jack as well. That's a 12V operated outlet, right? Would the USB jack just work? Has anyone got a lead on the replacement jack that would have the female cig lighter and a USB? I haven't found one yet...

We are full on boondockers - have a solar array and a couple of marine batteries that let us run the fridge and lights...

Thanks again

Kim

USB is 5 volts, so any adapter you get would have to be able to step it down. Amazon is a good source for this; I had to replace the USB ports in our trailer and I found exactly what I needed there.

In our old hybrid, I wanted a bunk light without the fan, since the fan was loud and kept us up at night. And it hung down far enough I always whacked my head against it. I had an old 12 volt RV light, attached some broom clips (like the kind you'd use in a broom closet to hold a broom against the wall), some lamp cord, and a 1/4" mono plug.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Pingy

Thanks everyone,

Y
I'll consider the rewiring of the jack (oddly, a replacement jack itself is easy to find!)... I do like the idea of including a USB jack as well. That's a 12V operated outlet, right? Would the USB jack just work? Has anyone got a lead on the replacement jack that would have the female cig lighter and a USB? I haven't found one yet...

Kim

I would install a 12V AUX outlet (cigarette lighter outlet) possibly next to the existing unit. The just plug in a USB car adapter. I installed a number of them a round our HTT.

You do not mention what you have for a TT, but assuming an HTT. I installed a few AUX outlets around on a dedicated circuit. Including a couple down low at the mattress level at mine and my DW's bunk. For the kid, I mounted his up high, as it was easier to get power there.

[Pingy]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I would install a 12V AUX outlet (cigarette lighter outlet) possibly next to the existing unit. The just plug in a USB car adapter. I installed a number of them a round our HTT.

You do not mention what you have for a TT, but assuming an HTT. I installed a few AUX outlets around on a dedicated circuit. Including a couple down low at the mattress level at mine and my DW's bunk. For the kid, I mounted his up high, as it was easier to get power there.

I should update my profile! We've got a 2019 X19H Hybrid - love it. We'd upgraded from a 40+ year old pop up. So kept the best (tent experience, open air) and go the space and capacity of a hard side...

Thanks everyone for your help!

Kim